The Mystery Hormone: Leptins Uncetain Role in the Body as a Hormone

Leptin plays a role in controlling appetite, metabolism, energy balance, and maintaining homeostasis. Once synthesized by fat cells, Leptin signals the brain and other organs via the Hypothalamus. Using pathways like JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K to reduce to reduce hunger while regulating fat storage. This poster aims to clarify what we know about Leptin, address conflicting ideas, and highlight what its true role inside the body might be. We completed a retroactive analysis of peer-reviewed studies to compare past and current findings about Leptins hormonal function and relevance that provided the data throughout. Our review confirms that Leptin is critical in appetite regulation, although leptin resistance in obesity limits its effectiveness. Evidence beyond metabolism reveals involvement in fertility, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. Discrepancies still remain regarding resistance development and if it’s reversible. Although Leptin is not the “anti-obesity” drug, it is a target for future therapeutics since dysfunction is a major contributor to obesity and related diseases. Leptin remains a key regulator of energy homeostasis, with future research on sensitivity and neural mapping offering new treatments for managing metabolic disorders.